Bag-dispensing machine



Junev 8 1926. 1,587,860

G, w. RITTENHOUSE BAG DIsPENsING MACHIN ld Dc', 31, 11325 E Sheets-Sheet1 George W I? z enhous lJune 8,1926. f 1,581,860

G. W. RITTENHOUSE BAG DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Dec. 31, 1925 2Shee'ts-Sheet 2 Fie-E George WRienhouse Patented June 8, 1926.

assiste saire srarss ear-snr errata.

GERGE W. RITTENI-IOUSE, OF SEATTLE, WASHNGTON. ASSIGNOR OF 'Olll'E-HALFTO HOMER P. SMITH, OF SEATTLE, XVASHINGTON.

BAG-DISPENSING ,MACHINE Application filed December 31, 19,25.

My invention relates to a `bag dispensing machine.`

The object of this invention is to provide a machine which may beconveniently used for dispensing paper bags singly from piles of bags.The device is intended. for use in stores, fruit stands, and the likeplaces where goods areplaced in bags for deliveryto customers. Theinvention is intended to draw single bag from astaclt of bags and tobring said bag outside of an enclosing casing where it may beconveniently engaged by the :lingers of the user,

The manner of operation of the device is to provide means for holdingstacks of bags in fiatwise position with the side thereof towards whichthe bottom has been folded downward and 'to engage said bag by theinward edge of the folded bottom.

My invention consists of certain novel constructions and lcombinationsof parts which will be hereinafter described and particu* larly pointedout in the claims. In the accoinpanying drawings, l have shown myinif'ontion embodied in constructions of a specific form which is nowmost preferred by me. lt is, however, Well understood that many of thespecific features of construction herein shown may be replaced by otherand equivalent constructions without, in any sense, destroying thecharacter of my invention. The drawings are therefore to be understoodas merely illustrative of the principles of my invention and the type ofmeehanism which may ie employed therein.

Figure l is a top or plan view of the mechanism employed for dispensingbags from a pile. Figures 2 and 3 are longitudinal sections through thecasing which contains said mechanism, said section being taken entirelyoutside of the operating parts. ltigure el; is a section takensubstantially on the plane of l Figure Figure 5 is a side elevation ofthe bag engaging lingers associated with a broken line, which, in adia.- gi'aininatie manner, illustrates the manner of movement given saidlingers in engaging and removing a bag.

l prefer to enclose the operating` parts of my device within a easing l,which is made of such si ze as 'to snugly hold a stack of bags of thesize which it is desired to use. These casiwts would preferably bevariedin size for `if.' .rent sizes of bags andthe bag would espe-1,ed"toVsnugly *fill tlie case. These Serial No. 78,551.

easings or holders may be employed as drawers to slip into suitableholding cabinets; such cabinets, however, have not been illustrated.Such drawers or casings may be freely open at the top, or could bemade`closed as desired. Means should, however, be provided for easyinsertion of the stack of bags. On the under side, the use of a floor tohold the bag, or the provision of transverse supports, suchas the bars2, is immaterial. It is, however, necessary that, at that yend which `receives the bottom end of the bag, the support be open at the bottomsufficiently to perinit removal of the single bag downwardly. At thisend, a transversely extending ledge or other analogous support, Vas 2G,is employed for supporting the eXtreme outer end edge of the bagbottoni. This is illustrated clearly in Figures 2 and 3 vwherein thestackof bags is indicated at 2l. 'i

The end of the casing at which the bottom ends of the bags are placed ispro-vided with' an opening, as 10, extending preferably from `thesupporting edge 9.() downwardly. It is through this opening that thebags are Withdrawn. Mounted to be reciprocated lengtl'i wise of the bagin guides, as 30, is a slide 3. The bags are supported at sutlicientelevation above the bottom ll of the casing or holder l, to accommodatethe mechanism by which single bags are engaged and removed. The slide 3carries two bag engaging lingers. One of these, as the finger d may bemade a fixed linger, that is one which is carried by the slide 3 and hasno movement except that of the slide. As herein illustrated, this Engeris made as au integral part of the slide. The particular manner of yitsconstruction, however, is immaterial. This iinger-has its outer endpositioned at such a level 'that it will pass above the folded inneredge of the bag bottom as the bag lies in the stack.

(lo-operating with the finger l is the movable linger 5. This is pivotedat 5G upon the standard which carries .the fixed finger 4l. lt has arearward eXteinsion which lies Vover the transversely mounted y shaft5l.. This shaft is journaledti-n standardsearried by the 'slide and is dsignedto be given a liniited rotclring moi-ement. At being `the point ofsuch shaft which is beneath the rearward extension of the linger 5, theshaft 5l is i ansversely resesl -.SQ :aS to form, in eect, a 'ca-rn by"which the rear end of this ylinger may be raised when the shaft isrocked upon its axis. The movable finger 5 is normally held with itsouter end towards the linger et by the use of a spring, as 54, whichoperates in conjunction with a pin or rod 55.

rIhe transversely extending shaft 5l, extends beyond the edge of theslide 3 and is provided with two radially extending arms 56 and 57.

The slide 3 is intended to normally be towards the rear end et the bagholding` ease or drawer. This result may be secured by the employmentol" a spring connecting the slide with the rear end ot the ease. Thespring as illustrati-id, is a compound spring, the spring G being ahelical spring which is secured to the slide at one end, .its other endbeing secured to the opposite end et a tube 6l, within which is securedthe second spring 60, which is secured to one end ot' the surroundingtube and to the rear end of the casing. The object ot' this constructionis merely to get the possibility of long range or extension into a smallspace. Such spring-ot whatever type employed, should be such as wouldnormally draw the slide to the rear and hold it in its rearmost position.

Mounted close along side ot the slide, or in whatever position is mostconvenient and feasible, is a rod 7. This is the operating rod and ismounted so as to be freely reciprocable, and parallel with the guide 30.This rod hastwo pins or stop lingers mounted thereon. The linger 7 (l,which is placed iminediately back of a pivoted bar or arm 7 2, carriedby the slide, is designed by engaging the said arm 72, to cause theslide to move outwardly whenv the bar is drawn out wardly. At the point8 is provided a cam tinger or bar designed to engage the outer end otthe bar or dog 72 to raise it sutiiciently so that it will be 'treedfrom the pin 7() carried by the operating bar 7. As the slide has beenmoved out by the engagement ot the pin with the arm 7 2, the springs (iand GO ha 'e been stretched. Therefore, when the pin 7 O and arm 72 aredisengaged. the slide and the lingers Carried thereby will be retracted.However, the pin 71, which plaeed turther to the rear upon the operatingbar 7 projects to a greater height than the pin 70 and will then engagethe bar 7:2 to cause the slide to again be moved torw rd l Art the tiretmovement of the slide torwardly, or towards the discharge opening l0,the fingers fl and 5 will be caused to engage the 'folded inner edge otthe bag bottom as is shown at The spring' 54 causes the fingers to gripthe bag bottom. A positive opening ot the lingers at the time they areinserted to engage the bag bottom is secured b v the engagement oi, thearm or pin 57 earried by the Shaft,v 5l with a fixed stop ask 5S.

This, by the rocking f the shaft, opens the lingers. rThe lingers,therefore, are caused to engage the folded edge ot the bag bottom sothat when the slide is released for its baele ward movement, the will bepulled back ward sutliciently to free it from the support`- ing ledge20. Therefore, when the slide is moved outwardly in its tinal movement,the bag will be carried along therewith so as to draw its end to orbeyond the easing, in accordance with the lne-vision made in the designot the device. At this point., as the slide returns, the arm 56 willengage the stop 59, so as to rock the shait't 5l in the oppositedirection, which, however, in a similar manner releases the grip of thefingers upon thebag.

Provision should be made for the automatic return ot the operating bar7. The most obvious mians tor doing this is a. spring. l have shown aspring 73 as connected by one end with the rod 7, as at 74, and by itsother end with one end of the bar or arm 75 carried by the slide. Bythis expedient, that is, by supporting one end of the spring from theslide, the length of the spring can be made less than would be requiredit' this end o't' the spring be anchored to the easing. Upon the returnof the slide under the influence of the springs 6 and 60, 'lingerCarried by the shatt 5l will engage a stop or linger 8. so as to assurethe turning o't' `the shaft ba *lt to the position in which the springis tree to hold the lingers together.

The actionof this device is as follows: Bags are supposed to have beenput in place with the folded bag bottom downwardly and with this end orback toward the outer end ot the holder, as is clearly indicated inFigures 2 and 3. When a bag is desired, the operating arm 7 is engagedand drawn outwardly. The first result ot this movement is to draw theslide and its lingers 4t and 5 outwardly until they have engaged withthe tolded inner edge of the bag bottom, as is clearly shown in FigureAt this point, the engagement between the lug or pin 7() earried by theope ating bar7 and the hinged arm 72 carried by the slide, is treed bythe raising` ot the arm 72 through .its engagement with the cam inclineS. ln consequence the slide is drawn quickly lo the rear by the actionot the springs thereon. As a result ot' this, the bag bottom is pulledrearwardly sutiiciently to tree it troni the supporting ledge or' bar20. he pin 7l then engages with the arm or bar 72 to cause the slide toagain move outwardly. This outward movenent causes the end of the bag tobe drawn outwardly so as to project it somewhat beyondthe end oiz thebor: or container l. At this point the grip of the fingers upon the baghas been relieved by `engagement oit the 'linger 57 with the stop 553i,Therefore, when the operating bar is permitted to be witb- (lll FIJ

1,5 *Aseo dre Wn e nd with reerivnrdly ivi 'non t) The begisvthns in' too, point where its end iney be coi ve iiently engee'ed With the lingers.Y it is, or' cours ,derstood that the deeiled eonstrnetion hereinillustrated may be ring the one' with it.

K 'varied by e designer so es to ineke the peri., olie lighter typeeonstrnetion or by en); other change such es would naturally be pectedoli :i competent designer.

1While l have herein described my device as placed so that the begs ereabove tle beg engaging and removing devices, it evident thet the snnieresults Wonld be secured it the unit-s oit the machine were re versed inposition, that is, the begs were beneath and the bag engaging andremoving mechanism were abo 'e the begs.

l would also be possible to operate the mechanism it thu pile of begswere ple on edge with the. bag engaging inw Ln'oisni alongside. In thesepositions it might b ieeessnry to hold the bags to the engaging' lingersby e. spring or equivalent ineens. lf, tlieretore, desire it understoodthat i ein claiming the beg engaging end reniioving1 ineel zinismirrespective of the position in Whieh the bags may be 'placed inrelation thereto. Also that I eleiin the method o' dispensing; lie-gswhich consists in engaging then by the inwardly folded edge or the bogbottom.

lllhnt I clnim es n.3' invention is:

l. in e device iter disnensingg' peper L longs having folded bottoms, nVbeg` holding con n 'nient adopted to hold the begs iletwise, the end ofseid compartment ihieh receives he bot-tom ends of the begs being openbe* liiv the bags but provided with ineens 'for snpportii'ig the extremeedge o't their bottoi' ends, ineens for gripping the iniverdlf,y 'foldededge of the beg bottom to first e it il" 'om seid end support. end tothen Withdriv v it trom beneath the pile o'l' begs.

[n :i device for dispensing' peper bags bovino' 'telden bottoms, bep;holcine' compartment edapted to hold 'the bans tletwise :inf having` itsbottom onen et the bottoni ends ot the bog' :ind provided with n snpporttor the extreme end edges ot the bot-- toni. e slide mounted torreoipl'ocetion be neeth and lengthwise ot the begs, e spring' :ii-tine'to return seid slide Vto 'the ree-1' when released. gripping); lingersenrried b v the slide. und adopted to engage the inwerdlv Jfolded edgeot the bei; betteln when moved ontivnrdliY and ineens for moving seidslide and the gripping' lingers ont-werdlv to engage end grip the bee'bottom, beekiver lv to tree the beef from its end support and thenoutivfn'dljvv to Withdraw the he from the holding); eon'ipertinent.

3. In e. device for dispensing peper bees having; folded bottoms7 a heggripping vice comprisingg` :i sline and n gr-.ide there cnrried by theslide,

' adapted to operote he shriift, operating; it, ifizied stops enig thedevice for dispel sing peper been" li led bottone, ineens forsopportstnel: i beg: in ietirise position, e guide wey etendine'lengthwise olf and beloi' the begs, sli oveble along' and oonti grigpingedipted toni. e

i no. i,

trio gripping positioned stops end ee-oper 7 l by said eilt adapted forengegeinit when the b le is recipreeeted, and miens for engagendreeiproeerting seid slide. 'i e. device 'for dispensing' peper bagshm'inp folded bottoms, e beg holding;l coinpirti Iit adapted. to holdthe begs steelred ilet"vise the end of said com mrtment which receivesthe bottoni ends of the bag' being' open beneath the begs but providedwith e bee' supporting' lede et the extreme end ede'e ot the begsygripping' fingers me 7able lengthwise ot end beneath the bee' endpositioned to grip the inwardly 'folded edge et the 'one' bottoms, meansfor moving; said .ingoio outwardly toward the bottom end of the bog toengnge the told ot' the bog' bottonia ineens for closing' seid lingersupon tie bee' bottom. ineens lor heel Werdly moving' seid lingers tortree the bei; from the snpporting ledge end 'l ,r then moving' thetine' 4 y's end the beg' gripped thereby to drew the end ot the bep;clear ot the steek and for then releasing end returning' the lingers.(i. ln e device for dispensing' per-ner tolded bottoms.y e holding'coinpertn'ient having it support tor vthe end edge ot the bag' bottomend onen edineent thereto et the nnder side ot the begs. a slide ite-d't r ixoinr ,el

n .A ed to receive the heirs flat-Wiso end having its bottom onen at thelgiottoin end ot he bags end provided With e support tor he end edges oithe begs. o. slide mounted o reciprocate lengthwise ott and belen' thehaving' folded bottoms e bee; Compartment A ilo bags, a spring forreturning said slide, bug gripping ngers carried by said slide, a shat'tmounted transversely of said slide and adapted to control the grippingfingers, an operetingbei' mounted to `reciprocate alongside of theshaft, two side actuating projecltions Carried by the bar and separatedlengthwise of the bai', a driving finger pivoted upon the slide toextend transversely over the bar and to swing toward and from the bar,and a ixediy positioned cani adapted to engage said drivingiinger todisengege it troni the iirst projection of the eperating bar.

Signed at Seattle, Rushing-ton7 this 24th day oi' December, 1925.

GEORGE WV. RITTENHOUSE.

